The people are incredibly welcoming and the city is very safe. Vietnam is a safe country, but like all cities, Ho Chi Minh has minor crimes. Expats should be attentive to their belongings and aware of those around them. Kelsey Cheng from Chicago, who lived at HCMC while volunteering, agrees.
The lifestyle is relaxed and everyone seems to always get to places (almost) on time. It seems that everyone is in a hurry to earn money, shop, be seen and make the most of their precious leisure time. The United Economist Intelligence has shown, through a study, that Ho Chi Minh City is among the top 10 cities where the cost of living is very affordable. In this interview, Chou Tac, a French expatriate in Asia for more than 5 years, shares his opinion on Saigon as a city to live in.
The two beauty stores that I have frequented during my life in Ho Chi Minh City are Guardian and Watson's. Most expats start living in D1, the city center with modern shopping malls, the famous Ben Than market and a lively nightlife in the Pham Ngu Lao area. If the idea of riding a motorcycle in this chaos makes you nervous, HCMC has an extensive public bus system. Michelle Truong is well known among the women of Fexpat for providing professional service in the comfort of their own home.
There is little that works exactly as you expected, but the misadventures and frustrations that accompany learning the ins and outs of a new culture and country are part of the fun. The cost of a massage in Ho Chi Minh City is higher than in Thailand, but still significantly lower than what you will pay in the United States. If you have sensitive skin like me, you should be careful when using the laundry service in Ho Chi Minh City. Carry a shoulder bag and keep it in front of you and leave large amounts of cash and your passport at home.
Grace Skincare Clinic is popular with expats who are experiencing unexplained eruptions or those just looking to rejuvenate their skin. If you decide to open a bank account in Saigon, we've heard that Timo is the best option for foreigners. I was convinced that I was going to spend four months sitting in my room; cursing the rain while driving to work, sheathed in a vinyl poncho to protect myself from the rain; sitting at work; and then cursing the rain as I drove back home.
